Washington University School of Medicine
Spinal cord injury leads to long-lasting impairment, and currently, there is no cure for paralysis. Although transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation has shown promising results in recovering lost movements, its poor selectivity in muscle recruitment compared to invasive approaches limits the type of rehabilitation exercises that can be practiced. This project studies how spatial, frequency, and amplitude control of stimulation can be used to selectively target different neural pathways and muscle groups.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life-altering event that leads to long-lasting motor impairment. Currently, there is no cure for paralysis. Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) combined with exercise training can restore posture control, voluntary walking, and arm/hand function in people with SCI. However, its low selectivity in activating specific muscles compared to invasive approaches limits the rehabilitation exercises that can be practiced and help with recovery. This project will generate evidence-based knowledge of the neural mechanisms underlying spatial, frequency, and amplitud…
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age between 16 and 65 years. 2. Have a spinal cord injury (neurological level C3-T12) that occurred ≥1 year (chronic stage) prior to enrollment. 3. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) classification C or D 4. Able to voluntarily contract (motor score ≥ 1) at least two leg muscles (visual or palpable contraction). 5. Use of prescription medication(s) for control of spasticity has not changed in the last 2 weeks 6. Able to provide consent 7. Ability to follow multiple instructions and communicate pain or discomfort Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pro…
Participants complete motor tasks and outcome assessments with no spinal cord stimulation applied.
Non-invasive transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) is delivered at 30 Hz using a single cathode electrode targeting the lumbar spinal cord to reinforce leg motor output during study tasks
Stimulation parameters, including electrode location, stimulation frequency, and stimulation amplitude, are systematically varied to reinforce leg motor output during study tasks
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